TOURING SUPERLEGGERA and
GUMPERT have chosen the 2011 Geneva Motor Show stage for the world
premiere of the Tornante. TOURING SUPERLEGGERA provided the design
and body engineering while GUMPERT will take care of manufacturing
and sales of the next model, complementing the GUMPERT range as of
2012. The Tornante is showcased at the stage of 1:1 static style
model in the best Italian tradition.

Fast Tourer

GUMPERT have gained a
reputation for their impressive street legal racing cars. They
addressed TOURING SUPERLEGGERA with a call for elegance, more
passengers and luggage space, improved comfort, access and
ventilation, and noise reduction. However, the fundamentals of
performance and dynamic properties had to be respected without
compromise.

At TOURING, designers
and body engineers started then a process of creative elimination to
define the true essentials of all the parameters involved, limiting
unnecessary weight and volume. The result is still a thoroughbred,
just a few grades more civilized, with some extra skills for an
enjoyable voyage. It is called a Fast Tourer. However, let there be
no misunderstanding about its intentions.

Project development

When selecting the
partner for the new model's body design, GUMPERT recognised that
elegance is part of the genetic code of TOURING SUPERLEGGERA's
creations. Even more remarkably, the paradigm of elegance was
applied by TOURING to the race cars too. This distinctive approach
was at the basis of many masterpieces, like the 1940 Mille Miglia
winner BMW 328 Berlinetta, the Ferrari 166 and 340 and the inspiring
Alfa Romeo 8C2900. They all were redoubtable race machines with
singular grace.

In turn, TOURING was
intrigued by the challenge from the young, vital and ambitious
sports car manufacturer, known for uncompromised orientation to
efficiency, high quality engineering and the constant quest for
better performance. In the development work, the teams from the two
companies discovered soon that they share the same respect for
efficiency and essentiality. This facilitated the subsequent stages
of engineering and feasibility study, and the merger of body and
chassis required only minor adjustments from both sides.

Architecture

The space frame chassis
is a derivative of the apollo and features the same central engine
layout. However, the requirements of accessibility and inner space
have dictated a number of important changes to the rolling chassis:

- the lateral member
of the chassis is lowered by 80 mm in the door area
- the A pillar and the windshield are rotated vertically by 2.5°
- the B pillar is moved backwards with 100 mm allowing for 1120
mm wide gull-wing doors
- the H point is displaced by 210 mm in height and 46 mm in
length
- the overall height is now 1215 mm

Thanks to the thorough
frame engineering, the outstanding combination of lightness and
torsional stiffness of the original chassis is preserved. The
engineers target 100 kg and slightly lower than 40.000 Nm/degree,
but the passenger compartment volume is now increased by 25% and the
luggage compartment capacity is brought to 200 l.

Other modifications aim at enhanced ride comfort and driveability:

- the floor height
is increased by 20 mm
- the shell seats are fully adjustable, heated, with 4-point
belts
- the paddle shifters are standard feature
- sound and heat insulation material is fitted on the floor and
between the cabin and the engine compartment
- glasses are double layer for better heat and noise insulation
- the ventilation system capacity is improved

A crash box in the front
section, adapted from Formula-1 technology, absorbs the impact
energy in case of a crash, improving the passive safety. Featuring
composite body panels over the light chrome-molybdenum steel space
frame with carbon fibre monocoque, the construction principle
mirrors the original method patented by TOURING in 1936, and
authorizes the symmetrical Superleggera badges on the bonnet.

Design

Unlike other TOURING
creations, the Tornante is not rooted into a specific model of the
Italian designer's heritage. Aesthetically, the project
started from a white sheet of paper, allowing the designer’s full
and free focus on the challenging package of the rolling chassis and
its hard points. The new model should not only offer ample
performance and superb dynamic properties and aerodynamics, but also
adequate levels of comfort, interior space and ergonomics. The
spirit of a true dream car, but with sufficient practical features
to become a safe and useable sports car in today's
traffic.

The TOURING accent of
the Tornante originates from specific proportions and the balance of
muscular elegance and introvert power, rather than formal language.
The bodywork preserves its movement even when the car stands still,
and when on the move, it expresses unique, elegant fluidness.

The prominent grille
within the balanced front wings characterizes the Tornante’s front
area. The air intakes are pronounced, reflecting the care given to
the air intake surface and the overall airflow.

The well-defined
waistline reflects the functional separation between the greenhouse
and the lower body. The top is a light area offering extended space
for driver and passenger, overall visibility and sportive but
comfortable ‘life on board’. The muscular, though elegant shoulders
announce the stunning performance of the power unit. Both the
Tornante’s doors and the boot lid open with gull-wing movement,
providing easy access to the interior, the mechanics and the luggage
compartment.

From the rear, the low
quarter panels outline the powerful curve of the roof. Below the
waistline, the very visible air diffuser evokes the research of the
maximal downforce.

The overall design
breaths superior potential and performance in an elegant and
slightly understated way, faithful to the TOURING tradition.

Power Unit

The Tornante has the
genes of the GUMPERT apollo and inherits its impressive V8 biturbo
engine. Weighing only 196 kg, the engine plays a major role in
ensuring the ideal weight and the fascinating driving dynamics of
the Tornante. An angle of 90° between the two cylinder banks
is a sign of a classic 8-cylinder engine.

Starting from the pure
block from Audi, the engine is a complete in-house development.
Thus, the manufacturing process contains among others all the moving
parts, air and fuel management, turbo chargers, charge air-duct and
dry sump lubrication. In the basic version this engine delivers 700
HP. In comparison to the apollo, the configuration will be optimized
for the Fast Touring mission. This means more comfort and more
suitability for daily use.

Alongside the V8 power
unit, an alternative powered Tornante is also planned for 2012.

Driveline

The fully synchronised,
automatic six-speed transmission guarantees efficient utilization of
the remarkable energy at the back wheels. The arrangement of the
gears in a longitudinal direction in the path of travel ensures a
very low centre of gravity and optimum weight distribution.

Extremely short
gearshifts up to 40 milliseconds (torque-to-torque) are provided by
the precise TT40e transmission of the apollo, where "e" stands for
electronic gear system. Gear changes are faster thanks to rocker
switches on the steering wheel. The Formula 1-type technology
promises the ultimate in comfort along with best driving
performance.

Suspension

The apollo derived
built-in suspension ideally complements the body‘s sophisticated
aerodynamics. The Tornante owes the finely tuned sensitivity of the
suspension system and the optimised exertion of power to its double
transverse control arm pushrod configuration at front and rear.

The double wishbones
ensure that the tires maintain optimum contact to the road surface,
independently of the bound rate of suspension system. As the
suspension elements are linked to the main frame, the system ensures
a responsive reaction and precise handling.

Chassis

Made of top-quality and
highly stable chrome-molybdenum-steel with an integrated safety
cell, the round tube frame is the base and symbolic backbone of the
Tornante. Providing additional space and comfort for its passengers
compared to the apollo, the Tornante will be as safe as its
racetrack-dedicated brother is. The Tornante succeeds in combining
low weight and rigidity with finest driving dynamics and comfortable
Fast Touring.